He claims the money is needed to fix a crumbling water delivery infrastructure in the state.

The state already charges a public utility franchise tax on water system operators of $0.01 per 1,000 gallons of water delivered to a consumer. That tax, which went into effect in 1984, is supposed to "ensure clean drinking water in New Jersey."

"Let's call it for what it is... it's another tax," Councilman Peter Brown D-Linden said.

Matt Rooney, who runs the conservative news website Savejersey.com said, "Once again, the most over-taxed people out of all 50 states in this country, are being asked to dig a little deeper after Phil Murphy just raised their taxes by nearly $2 billion."